who wrote the book of malachi

The Book of Malachi is traditionally attributed to a prophet named Malachi. The name "Malachi" means "my messenger" in Hebrew, and he is considered the author who delivered God's message to the people of post-exilic Judah. Although some scholars suggest "Malachi" could be a title or pseudonym rather than a personal name, the most straightforward conclusion is that a prophet named Malachi wrote the book (Malachi 1:1). Some Jewish traditions propose that the scribe Ezra might have been the author due to thematic similarities, but the majority of scholars treat Malachi as a distinct prophetic figure. The book was written during the Persian period, after the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple, roughly between 538 and 430 BCE. Malachi's messages address worship, covenant faithfulness, and social issues among the Israelites, affirming his role as God's messenger delivering prophetic oracles during a spiritually challenging era.